Rack rod loading mechanism for alimentary paste extrusion apparatus



g- 24, 1954 J. DE FRANCISCI 2,587,101

RACK ROD LOADING MECHANISM FOR ALIMENTARY PASTE EXTRUSION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VEN TOR.

Aug. 24, 1954 DE FRANCISCI J. RACK ROD LOADING MECHANISM FOR ALIMENTARY PASTE EXTRUSION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVHVTOR.

AW vgy Aug. 24, 1954 J. DE FRANCISCI 2,687,101

RACK ROD LOADING MECHANISM FOR AL'IMENTARY PASTE EXTRUSION APPARATUS Flled Feb. 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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1954 J. DE FRANCISCI 2,637,101

RAPK- ROD LOADING MECHANISM FOR ALIMENTARY PASTE EXTRUSION APPARATUS Flled Feb. 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR. cfo se ygfiefiavgisg.

subjection to a drying 'process. 1;.

Y mechanisms Patented Aug. 24, 1954 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE RACK Ron LOADING MECHANISM FOR ALL MENTARY PASTE EXTRUSION APPARATUS Jos ephD e Francisci, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application February 16, 1951, Serial No. 211,222

1 This invention ducing long alimentary paste products, such as macaroni, spaghetti and the like; and the in- "vention has reference, more particularly, 'to improved mechanism for "automatically. depositing paste strings, ase pressed from extrusion apparatus, in suspension uponrack rods ready for The present invention has for an object to provide an ,automaticfrack rod loading mechamm and associated paste string cut-01f mechanism for cooperation with. a continuouspaste 3 string extrusion apparatus which is adapted to emitpaste strings in spaced relation so as to form a linearrow or rows thereof ready for deposit upon drier 'rack. rods by which the paste strings are to be supported for drying [said loading mechanism including a rack rodconveyer, and power transmission means for actuating said conveyer and the cut ofi mechanism, said power transmission means being entirely mechanical. and including adjustable means for regulating the operation thereof, whereby to synchronize the movements of the rack rod conveyer and the cut-off mechanism relativeto the paste string emission rate of the extrusion apparatus.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly enumerated willbe understood from the following detailed description of the same.

.An musu-auve embodiment or the invention the. accompanying drawings, in which: 1 t V Fig. l is a side elevational view of the rack rod loading mechanism; Fig. 211s a"transverse vertical sectionalviewof the same, taken on line in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is avertical cross-sectional view, taken on line 3.-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of portions of the power transmission means and r nanipulatable regulating means therefor, the housing supportof which is shown in part section, this view being drawn on an enlarged some;

Fig. 5 is an end view of a onerevolu tion clutch "which forms part of the power transmission by which therack rodconveyer and in Fig. 5 Fig 7 is a. transverse sectional View,

6, showing the released view, similar to that OfQFig. 3, but showing the operative stroke are cutoff mechanism; and

Fig. 10' is a similanvievv' showing the retractive stroke of the cut-oiff mechanism.

Similar charactersoff reference are employed in the above deseril ed-views, to indicatecorresponding 9 Claims. (Cl.1077) the planes of descent of Referrin to the'drawings, the reference character II] indicates the framework by which the paste extrusion die head, the paste string cutoff mechanism and the paste string racking and conveyer mechanism of the apparatus is supported.

Mounted upon the top of the framework In is an elongated die head I I into the interior chamber I2 of which iscontinuously delivered plastic alimentary paste under constant pressure. Supported in the bottom of the die head I I is a longitudinally extendingdie plate I3. The die plate I 3 is provided with laterally and parallelly spaced longitudinal rows ofdie apertures I4; said rows substantially corresponding in length to the length of the die headchamber I2.

Supported by the framework I0 beneath the die head II is rack rod loading and conveyer mechanism by means. of which. rows of paste strings emitted from the die plate It are automatically looped over drier rack rods, and thereupondelivered for transfer to suitable drier apparatus. Mounted adjacent to the under faces of respective side walls I5 of the framework I0, within the interior of said framework, are laterally spaced and aligned paste string racking conveyers between which the rows of paste strings emitted from the die plate I3 descend.

Each racking conveyer includes a drive sprocket I6 of relatively large diameter which is fixed on a transversedriven shaft I! that extends through the lower part of the framework.

and cooperating carrier sprocket I9 is a conveyer chain 2|- The ascending courses of the conveyer chains 2!, which extend between the drive sprockets I6 andcarrier sprockets i9, intersect the rows of paste strings emitted from the die plate I3. The descending or return cduises'ger the conveyer chains 2I are preferably guided over the idler sprockets 22 which are alsosupported in connection with the side Walls I5 of thedramework Iii. Afilbied to the conveyer chains"2I, at suitablyspaced intervals therealong, arerack rod engaging hooks 23. Supported in connection with the framework ill, at the rear thereof is a rack rod delivery chute 24, which inclines downwardly so that its discharge end terminates adjacent to the rearward sides ofthe drive sprockets l6 and the conveyer chains 2| which run thereover, whereby to hold the lowermost rack rod R contained in the chute 24 in the path of movement of approaching carrier hooks 23, whereby said rack rod will be picked up by the latter so as to extend between the conveyer chains, and so as to be carried upwardly and forwardly thereby.

Mechanisms are provided for automatically cutting away, at proper times, the rows of paste strings emitted from the die plate |3 so as to detach the same from the latter. Each mechanism comprises an independent cutting means for each row of paste strings issuing from the die plate apparatus |4. Each cutting means is actuated by its own operating mechanism, but in alternated timed relation one to the other, and in timed relation to the operation of the rack ro'd loading mechanism, all as hereinafter more particularly set forth. The cutting mechanisms comprise a forward cutting means A for operation upon the forward row of emitted paste strings, and a rearward cutting means B for operation upon the rearward row of emitted paste strings.

Each cutting means comprises cutter blade operating levers 25, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to fulcruming supports 26 which project from the inner faces of the side walls |5 of the framework. The upper free ends of the levers are respectively disposed below and adjacent to the respective ends of the die head 1 Pivotally connected with the upper end of each lever 25 is an oscillatable bracket block 21 which is provided with a rearwardly extending tail piece 26. A forwardly projecting cutter blade 29 is affixed by its ends to and for extension between the bracket blocks 21. Connected between the tail piece 28 and the adjacent side wall 15 of the framework are diagonally and downwardly extending pull springs 36 which yieldably exert both down tilting draft upon the tail pieces, whereby to up tilt the cutter blade 29 to operatively engage its free cutting edge with the external or bottom face of the die plate 13, and rearward swinging draft upon the lever and cutter blade assembly.

Novel means is provided for transmitting actuating power to the rack rod loading and conveyer mechanism and to the operating mechanisms by which the respective cutting means A and B are actuated. Said power transmission means is entirely mechanical, and includes manually adjustable means for regulating and timing the paste string loading and cutting operations relative to paste string emission from the die plate of the die head. This power transmission means is mounted on the base 3| of the framework l6, and is preferably inclosed in a housing or gear box 32. Journaled in and between the side walls of. the housing or gear box 32 is a power input shaft 33. Said power input shaft 33 may be driven from any source of power, but is preferably driven by an electric motor 34, the drive pulley 35 of which is connected by drive belt 36 to a driven pulley 31 which is fixed upon an exteriorly projecting end portion of said input shaft 33. Journaled in and between the side walls of the housing or gear box 32 is a cutting mechanism drive shaft 38 which is driven at a relatively high speed from the input shaft 33 by reduction gearing comprising the drive gear 39 and driven gear 46. Also journaled in and between the side walls of the housing or gear box 32 is a regulating mechanism drive shaft 4| which is driven at reduced speed from the drive shaft 38 by reduction gearing comprising the drive gear 42 and driven gear 43. Similarly, journaled in and between the side walls of the housing or gear box 32 is a rack rod conveyer drive shaft 44, which is intermittently driven by a one-revolution clutch device, operation of which is controlled and timed by the regulating mechanism, all as hereinafter more particularly set forth. The driven member of said clutch is continuously driven at further reduced speed from the drive shaft 4| by reduction gearing comprising the drive gear 45 and driven gear 46. The shaft I1, which operates the rack rod conveyer drive sprockets I6, is driven from the conveyer drive shaft 44 by chain and sprocket transmission 41, the drive sprocket 46 of which is fixed upon an exteriorly projecting end portion of said conveyer drive shaft 44.

Although other types of one-revolution clutch devices may be employed, a preferred type of one-revolution clutch device by which the conveyer drive shaft 44 is driven comprises, as shown (see Figs. 1 and 4 to 8 inclusive), 2. driver clutch member 49 which is freely rotatable on said shaft 44. On the hub 56 0f the driver clutch member 49 is fixed the power transmission element by which it is to be driven, in this case the driven gear 46. The driver clutch member 49 is provided with an outwardly open chamber 5|, the walls of which are formed to provide a plurality of internally open, circumferentially spaced clutch key reception splines 52. Fixed on the shaft 44, to oppose the open chamber 5| of the.

driver clutch member 49, is the driven clutch member 53. Rotatably mounted in and through the driven clutch member 53 is the journal portion 54 of a clutch key of segmental crosssection. Extending radially from the outer end I of said journal portion 54 is an actuating lever arm 56. Radially extending from the periphery of the driven clutch member 53 is an external stop arm 51 which is adapted to be abutted by the lever arm 56, whereby to determine the released position of the clutch key 55; in which position the same is withdrawn from a clutch reception spline 52 of the driver clutch member 49, with its chordal face opposed to said spline (see Fig. '7). A pull spring 53 is interconnected between a fixed car 59, which extends from the driven clutch member 53, and an ear 6|) with which the lever arm 56 is provided. This spring 58 yieldably urges the lever arm 56 in direction operative to rotate the journal portion 54 whereby to turn the clutch key 55 into a clutch key reception spline 52 (see Fig. 8), and thereby clutch the driven clutch member 53 to the driver clutch member 49 so that the former, and the shaft 44 to which it is afiixed, will be rotated by the driver clutch member 49.

Releasable detent means is provided to engage the clutch lever arm 56 so as to draw the same back into stopped engagement with the stop arm 51, and thus to hold the clutch device in released or inactive condition. This detent means comprises a detent lever 6| which is pivotally supported on a fulcruming shaft 62 that extends between the side walls of the housing or gear box 32 adjacent to the clutch device. The lower arm of the detent lever 6| is provided with an angularly projecting arrester lug 63 which normally lies in the path of movement of the clutch lever arm 56 when it revolves with the rotated driven clutch member 53. The upper arm of the detent lever 6| projects exteriorly from and above the housing or gear box 32. Means is provided for tripping the detent lever 6|, whereby to release J ment.

through theknuckle block 61. Affixed to the a to follow the trip cam 15.

the clutch device for operation. ,This tripping means is operated by the means for regulating and timing the paste string loading and cutting operations, and will therefore be now described 1 outer end of said rock-shaft. [is a dependent rocker-arm 66, whichis in theform of an open frame by which is carried a knuckle block 61 subject to adjusting movement thereon toward ,Qr fromthe fulcrum of the rocker-arm which is provided by the rock-shaft 65. An axially extending adjusting screw 68 isrotatably supported in the U per end of the rocker-arm 66, but in such manner as to beheld against axial move- Said adjusting screw 68 is threaded upper end of the adjusting screw is a crankhandle; 69 by means of which said screw can be rotated, whereby to adjust the knuckle block on i the rocker-arm so as to increaseor decrease the effective leverage length of the rocker-arm and thus, amplitude of oscillatory movement of said rocker-arm and. rock-shaft. Means is provided for oscillating the rocker-arm and rock-shaft,

said means comprising a crank-wheel 10 mounted on;anexteriorend of the drive shaft 4|, and connected with the knuckle block 6'! by a connecting linkor rod. H. Fixed on the rearward or inner end portion of the rock-shaft 65 is an upwardly projecting rocker-arm 12 which carries a drive pawl 13. Freely rotatable on the rockshaft 65, adjacent the rocker-arm I2, is a ratchet wheel 14 adapted to be operatively engaged by the drive pawl 13. Connected with said ratchet wheel, so as to be rotated thereby, is a trip cam 15 provided with. a radially projecting tripper 1 member 16.

V This trip cam 15 engages the upper arm of the detent lever 6|, the latter beingpref- -erably provided with a nosing 11 which normally lies. in thepath of movement of the tripper member 16 of said trip cam. An anchored pull spring 18 is connected with the upper arm of the ,.detent lever 6 I, whereby to cause the detent lever The above described means, for transmitting actuating power to the rack rod loading and conveyer mechanism operates to drive the latter intermittently, .i. e. in a step by step manner so i that each advance step is followed by a period of rest or dwell, whereby, after loading of paste {strings on rack rods R andIcutting away the loaded strings from the die plate l3, time is allowed for emission from said die plate of the next batches ofpastestrings to be loaded on succeed- ..tingrack rods. To this end, the described transmission means operates as follows:

i The periodof rack rod conveyor rest or dwell continues so long as the one-revolution clutch is I .held inactive. a

the detentlever 6| which is normally held by the j Qtrip cam 15, inpositionto engage the lever arm Said clutch is held inactive by 56 ;of the clutch by the arrester lug 63 of said detent lever. Such engagement of the clutch lever arm56 swingsthe same back against the stoparm 51, thus withdrawing the clutch key 55 ofthedriven clutch member 53 from clutched ing the latter for forward movement under the draft of the pull spring 58, andthereby rotating the clutch key 55 into engagement with a reception spline 52' of the driverjclutch member 49, whereupon said driver clutch member transmits rotary movement to, the drivenclutch member 53 and conveyer drive shaft 44. ,As the operating clutch completes one revolution, the clutch lever arm 56 is again broughtinto engagement with the arrester lug 63 of the detent lever 6| whereby the clutch key 55 is withdrawn from the engaged spline 52 of the driver clutch member 69, thus stopping the driven clutch member 53 and conveyer drive shaft 44, so that the rack-rod conveyer is again stopped for a period of rest or dwell. The intervals of rest or dwell of the rack rod conveyer may be lengthened or shortened to accommodate the operation thereof to the speed of paste string emission from the die plate l3, and according to the length of paste strings olesired to be produced and loaded upon the rack ,rods R. Regulation of the intervals of rest or dwell of the rack rod conveyer can be effected by adjusting the position ,of the knuckle block 61 on the dependent rocker-arm 66. If said knuckle block is moved toward the rockshaft 65,

and consequently advance ofthe tripper member 16 is hastened, and a shorter time elapses before the latter operates the detent lever (ii to activate :the clutch 49-53. knuckle block 61 is moved away fromthe rock- ,shaft 65, the effective leverage length of the On the other hand, if the rocker-arm 66 is increased, and the amplitude of oscillation of the upper rocker-arm l2 and drive pawl 13 is decreased, so that the ratchet wheel l4 and tripcam 15 is progressively advanced by shorter steps, and consequently advance of the tripper member 16 is slowed, and a longer time detent lever elapses before it becomes operative upon the 6|, whereby to activate the clutch 49-53. j

,Each cutting means A and B is actuated by its own operating mechanism which are generally respectively designated by the reference characters C and D. Each such operating mechanism comprises a driven shaft 19 that extends through the upper part of the framework and which is journaled in suitable bearings mounted in connectionwith the side walls I5 of the framework l0. cent to and outwardly of the operating levers 25 of the cutting means served thereby. The shaft 19 is driven by a one-revolution clutch device, preferably of the same type as that above described by which the rack rod conveyer drive shaft, is driven, the construction of which is therefore designated by corresponding reference characters. The driven member 49 of the clutch is freely rotatable on the outer end portion of the shaft 19 whichpislocated .at,zthe.same side ,of ,the;apparatus atwhich the housing or gear Said shaft 19 is disposed so as to-cross adjaass-7,101

box 32 of the power transmission mechanism is located. Fixed on the shaft 19 are respective cam members by which the respective operating levers 25 of the cutting means to be operated thereby are actuated. These cam members are each formed to provide a cam lobe 80, adapted to operatively engage the adjacent operating lever 25, and an inwardly ofiset trailing cam lobe 81 adapted to ope'ratively engage the tail piece 28 of the oscillatable bracket block 21 which is carried by said adjacent operating lever25.

The driver member '49 of the clutch by which the shaft 19 of the operating mechanism D for the rearward cutting means B is driven by belt and pulley transmission 82, the drive pulley 33 of which is fixed upon an exteriorly projecting end portion of thecutting mechanism drive shaft 38 of the'heretoforedescribed power transmission means. The "driver member 49 of the clutch by which the shaft =19 of the operating mechanism C for the'forward cutting means A is actuated by belt and pulley transmission 84 driven by the driver clutch member of said operating mechanism D.

The one revolution clutch of each operating mechanism C and "D for the respective cutting means A and Bis controlledby its own tripping mechanism which times the operation thereof .in properly synchronized relation to the operation of the rack rod-conveyer mechanism. The respective tripping-mechanisms are-located on opposite sidesof a cam device for operating the same; said camdevice being actuated by the driven shaft ll of the rack r'od conveyer. This cam device comprisesa carrierPlate-85 which is fixed on'said driven shaft ll of the rackrodconveyer. Carried by the carrierplate 8'5, and attached thereto by slot and bolt fastening means 86 so as to be subject to rotativeadjustment thereon, is a trip cam member'BI which is provided 'on its periphery with a radially projecting tripper member 88.

Each tripping mechanism comprises a bellcrank lever 89 which'is pivotally supported in connection with a bracket 90 thatis'mounted on the adjacent side wall l-5'of the framework above the tri'pcam membertl. This bell-crank lever 89 possesses afdepende'ntarm 9| having at its end a nosing 92 which bears against-the periph- -ery of the trip cam member 81, and an outwardly extending lateral arm 93. The lateral arm-93 of the bell-cranklever 89 is connected man upwardly extending link 94 to the horizontal-arm 95of a detent lever "96, the vertical arm 91 0f which normally engages. and restrains the lever arm- 56 of 1 the clutch which is secured-by the tripping mechanism. Said detent'lever 96 is pivotally supported adjacent to'saicl clutch by a bracket 98 that extends outwardly from the adjacent side wall ofthe framework.

The cutting means A and B andtherespective operating mechanisms and controls therefor operate alike, and 'consequentlydescriptionof I one will likewise apply to the other. For example, in operation the cutting mechanism B-iand its. op-

erating mechanismand control'D p'erforms as follows:

When the one-revolution clutch 49- 53 thereof is inactive, and "the shaft Hi actu'ated thereby is stopped, the cam lobes 80 are so positioned-with respect'to the cutter blade operating levers25 that the latter occupy outswung positions-whereby thecutter'blade 29 isretracted to its-normal initial position, in which position said cutter blade is' uptilte'dto epera'tivelyengage its cutting edge with the bottom face'of the'diepIate l3 (see Fig. 3'). A fter arack =rod R has been carried into engagement with the emitted rear .row of paste strings, and looping of said paste'strings-oversaid. rack rod has progressed to the point where cutting away of the strings from the die plate 13 becomes necessary, the rotation'of the cam member 8i brings the trippermember 88 thereof into passing engagement with the nosing 92 of the bell-crank lever arm 9| so as to outswing said arm 91 and thus upswing the bell-crank lever arm 93. Theupswing of said bell-crank lever arm 93 is transmitted through link 94 to the horizontal arm-5150f detent lever '96, and thereby -'outswings-the vertical arm 91 of the latter away from the clutch lever 56. ltesultant release of clutch lever 56 "actuates the clutch, whereupon the trip-mechanism returns by gravityto normal initial position as the trippermember 8 8 of this =cam member 81 passes'on, andconsequently-the vertical arm 91 of detentlever 96 returns to initial position, ready to again arrest the clutch lever arm 56 so as to release the clutch as soon as'one revolutiono'f the clutch driven shaft 19 is completed.

The revolution'of the shaftlQ rotates the cam lobes against thecutter blade operating levers 25, whereby to swing the latter inwardly andthus cause the cutter 'blade 29 to traverse the *rear "row of die apertures M of die plate l3, so

as to cut away the'pastestrings-issued therefrom (see Fig. 9). By the'time thecamlobes'Bil complete their thrust against the operating levers '25 by which the cutting stroke of the cutter blade 29 is induced, and begin to move away therefrom, the trailing cam lobes 8! have approached and engaged the tail piece 28 of the cutter bladebracket'blocks 21, whereby to upswing said tail pieces and thusdownswing the cutter blade 29 away'from-the die plate l3, while the cutter blade is beingretracted to normal iniforward against said'forward row of paste strings.

The forwardlymoved rack rod contacts the paste strings at the approximate mid-parts of the length thereof and, as said rack'rod is moved upwardly and outwardly, said paste strings will be looped over and'uponthe same. After the rack rod has been'advanced'and raised to a predeterminedpoint, the trip cam member 81, which rotates in company-with the moving conveyer'2 I, will cause its tripper member 88 to engage and actuate the tripping mechanism which controls operation of the forward cutting means A, wherebythe latterwill operate to cut away said forward row of paste strings 'from the die plate 13, thus permitting the trailing end portions thereof to drop, and thereby complete the looping of the strings over the rack rod, so as to be loaded thereon. In the meantime, emission o-f the rearward row of paste strings'to proper length is completed and the movement of the 'conveyeril has therewith, whereby ccontinued advance of I the conveyer similarly causes saidrearward row of paste strings to be looped over said rack rod, whereupon the continued accompanying advance of the trip cam member 8'! will cause its tripper member 88, at the proper time, to engage and actuate the tripping mechanism which controls the operation of the rearward cutting means B. Operation of said cutting means B cuts away and drops the trailing end portions of said rearward row of paste strings from the die plate I 3 to complete the loading of the rack rod therewith. The movement of the conveyer 2|, as controlled by the one-revolution clutch of the power transmission means, continues until another rack rod R is positioned to engage the next formed forward row of paste strings, whereupon the conveyer 2| is stopped for a rest or dwell period of sufficient duration to allow paste string emission to progress to the point ready for repetition of the above described cycle of rack rod loading operations when the one-revolution clutch of the power transmission means is again tripped and activiated.

It will be noted that the trip cam member 8'! can be rotatively adjusted, whereby to desirably predetermine the time of the tripping effect of its tripper member 88 in relation to the amount of advance and lift of the conveyer moved rack rods being loaded, so that the paste strings will be cut away from the die plate l3 at the most advantageous moment.

Extending from the upper discharge end of the rack rod conveyer 2| is an outgoing discharge conveyer means 99, preferably of the sprocket and chain type, upon which the loaded rack rods R are deposited by said loading conveyer 2|.

This discharge conveyer means is driven by the jack shafts 20, and said jack shafts are in turn driven by chain and sprocket transmission means Hill", the drive sprockets llll of which are fixed on the ends of the conv eyer drive shaft 11 so as to be rotated thereby.The drive of said discharge conveyer means 99 is'so designed that it operates the same at a linear speed in excess of the linear speed of the rack rod conveyer 2|, whereby to quickly clear the discharged rack rods from the hooks 23 of the latter. Said discharge conveyer means may lead directly to and so as to deliver the loaded rack rods into drier apparatus or rooms.

It will be understood that various changes could be made in the above described apparatus, its mechanisms and the herefollowing claims. It is, therefore, intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I claim: 1 In a long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyermeans for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extnuded in alinear row and further including cutting means cooperative with said die for cutting away therefrom extruded paste strings, a power actuated cutting means drive shaft, a

driven shaft to actuate said conveyer means, a

means for actuating said timing means, additional one-revolution clutch means driven from said power actuated cutting means drive shaft for operating the cutting means, clutch trip means for controlling the operation of said additional one-revolution clutch means, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer means for controlling said last mentioned trip means whereby to coordinate the operation of the cutting means with the movement of the conveyer means.

2. In long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyer means for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extruded in a linear row and further including cutting means cooperative with said die for cutting away therefrom extruded paste strings, a power actuated cutting means drive shaft, a driven shaft to actuate said conveyer means, a conveyer means drive shaft, a transmission shaft intermediate said power actuated cutting means drive shaft and said conveyer means drive shaft, means todrive said transmission shaft from the cutting means drive shaft, means for driving the driven shaft of said conveyer means from said conveyer means drive shaft including a one-revolution clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on the conveyer means drive shaft, means to operate the driving member of said clutch from said transmission shaft, clutch trip means to control engagement of the driving member with the driven member of said clutch, means for timing the operation of said clutch trip means, means for operating said timing means from said transmission shaft, additional one-revolution clutch means driven from said cutting means drive shaft for operating the cutting means, trip means for controlling the operation of said additional onerevolution clutch means, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer means for controlling said last mentioned trip means whereby to coordinate the operation of the cutting means with the movement of the conveyer means.

3. In long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyer means for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extruded in a linear row and further includparts within the scope of conveyer means drive shaft, means for driving said'conveyer means drive shaft, means for um:

ing the operation of said clutch and thereby the movementofsaid conveyer means, power driven ing cutting means cooperative with said die for cutting away therefrom extruded paste strings, a power actuated cutting means drive shaft, a driven shaft to actuate said conveyer means, a conveyer means drive shaft, a transmission shaft intermediate said power actuated cutting means drive shaft and said conveyer means drive shaft, means to drive said transmission shaft from the cutting means drive shaft, means for driving the driven shaft of said conveyer means from said conveyer mean drive shaft including a one-revolution clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on the conveyer means drive shaft, means to operate the driving member of said clutch from said transmission shaft,

mission shaft for operating the timing means, a

driven shaft to actuate said cutting means, addi-' tional one-revolution clutch means for operating the driven shaft of said cutting means, said additional clutch means also comprising a driving" member and a driven member fixed on said cutting means driven shaft, means to operate said additional clutch driving member from said cutting means drive shaft, additional releasable detent means for holding the driving member of said additional clutch means disengaged from the driven member thereof, additional trip mean cooperative with said last mentioned detent means whereby to release the members of said additional clutch means for engagement, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer means for controlling said additional trip means whereby to coordinate the operation the cutting means with the movement of the conveyer means.

4. In a long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyer means for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extruded in a linear row and further including cutting means cooperative with said die for cutting away therefrom extruded paste strings, a power actuated cutting means drive shaft, a conveyer means drive shaft, a transmission shaft intermediate said power actuated cutting means drive shaft and said conveyer means drive shaft, means to drive said transmission shaft from the cutting means drive shaft, a driven shaft toactuate said conveyer means, means for driving the driven shaft of said conveyer means from the conveyer means drive shaft including a one-revolution clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on the conveyer means drive shaft, means to operate the driving member of said clutch from the transmission shaft, releasable detent means for ho1ding the driving member of said clutch disengaged from the driven member thereof, means to trip said detent means whereby to release said clutch members for engagement, a rotatable trip cam for actuating said trip means, a ratchet wheel for rotating said trip cam, a pivoted rocker arm carrying a pawl for driving said ratchet wheel, a crank wheel operated by said transmission shaft and connected by a link to said rocker arm, means to adjust the connection of said link with said rocker arm whereby to vary the amplitude of rocker arm oscillation and thu to time the rotation of said trip cam to thereby control periodic operation of the conveyer means.

5. In a long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyer means for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extruded in a linear row and further including cutting means cooperative with said die for cutting away therefrom extruded paste strings, a power actuated cutting means drive shaft, a conveyer means drive shaft, a transmission shaft intermediate said power actuated cutting means drive shaft and said conveyer means drive shaft,

means to drive said transmission shaft from the cutting mean drive shaft, a driven shaft to actuate said conveyer means, means for driving the driven shaft of said conveyer means from the conveyer means drive shaft including a onerevolution clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on the conveyer means drive shaft, means to operate the driving member of said clutch from the transmission shaft, releasable detent means for holding the driving member of said clutch disengaged from the driven member thereof, means to trip said detent means whereby to release said clutch members for engagement, a rotatable trip cam for actuating said trip means, a ratchet wheel for rotating said trip cam, a pivoted rocker arm carrying a pawl for driving said ratchet wheel, a crank wheel operated by said transmission shaft and connected by a link to said rocker arm, means to adjust the connection of said link with said rocker arm whereby to vary the amplitude of rocker arm oscillation and thus to time the rotation of said trip cam to thereby control periodic operation of the conveyer means, additional onerevolution clutch means driven from said power actuated cutting means drive shaft for operating the cutting means, clutch trip means for controlling the operation of said additional onerevolution clutch means, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer means for controlling said last mentioned trip means whereby to coordinate the operation of the cutting means with the movement of the conveyer means.

6. In a long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyer means for cooperation With a die from which paste strings are extruded in a linear row and further including cutting means cooperative with said die for cutting away therefrom extruded paste strings, a power actuated cutting means drive shaft, a conveyer means drive shaft, a transmission shaft intermediate said power actuated cutting means drive shaft and said conveyer means drive shaft,

means to drive said transmission shaft from the 1 cutting means drive shaft, a driven shaft to ac.- tuate the conveyer means, means for driving the driven shaft of said conveyer means from the conveyer means drive shaft including a onerevolutio-n clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on the conveyer means drive shaft, means to operate the driving member of said clutch from the transmission shaft, releasable detent means for holding the driving member of said clutch disengaged from the driven member thereof, means to trip said detent means whereby to release said clutch members for engagement, a rotatable trip cam for actuating said trip means, a ratchet wheel for rotating said trip cam, a pivoted rocker arm carrying a pawl for I driving said ratchet wheel, a crank wheel operated by said transmission shaft and connected by a link with said rocker arm, means to adjust the connection of said link with said rocker arm whereby to vary the amplitude of rocker arm oscillation and thus to time the rotation of said trip cam to thereby control periodic operation of the conveyer means, a driven shaft to actuate said cutting means, additional one-revolution clutch means for operating the driven shaft of said cutting means, said additional clutch means also comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on said cutting means driven shaft, means to operate the driving member of said additional clutch means from said cutting means drive shaft, additional releasable detent means for holding the driving member of said additional clutch means disengaged from the driven member thereof, additional trip means cooperative with said last mentioned detent means whereby to release the members of said additional clutch means for engagement, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer means for controlling said additional trip means whereby to coordinate the operation of the cutting means with the movement of the conveyer means.

7. In a long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyer mechanism for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extruded in two parallel linear rows and further including a pair of cutting mechanisms respectively operative from opposite sides of the die to respectively cut away from the latter the respective rows of extruded paste strings, power operated drive shaft to actuate the cutting mechanisms, a driven shaft to actuate said conveyer mechanism, a conveyer mechanism drive shaft, means for driving the driven shaft of said conveyer mechanism from the conveyer mechanism drive shaft including a one-revolution clutch comprising a power actuated driving member and a driven member fixed on said conveyer mechanism drive shaft, means for timing the operation of said clutch and thereby the movement of said conveyer mechanism, power driven means for actuating said timing means, additional one revolution clutches for respectively actuating the respective cutting mechanisms, said additional clutches having driving members and means to drive the same from the power actuated drive shaft for the cutting mechanisms, trip mechanisms to respectively control said respective additional clutches, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer mechanism and operative intermediate said trip mechanisms whereby to successively actuate the same and thereby coordinate the operation of said cutting mechanisms one with the other and with the movement of the conveyer mechanism.

8. In a long alimentary paste production apparatus including a rack rod conveyer mechanism for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extruded in two parallel linear rows and further including a pair of cutting mechanisms respectively operative from opposite sides of the die to respectively cut away from the latter the respective rows of extruded paste strings, a power operated drive shaft for the cutting mechanisms, a drive shaft for the conveyer mechanism, a transmission shaft intermediate said drive shafts, means to drive said transmission shaft from the cutting mechanisms drive shaft, a driven shaft to actuate the conveyer mechanism, means for driving the driven shaft of the said conveyer mechanism from the conveyer mechanism'drive shaft including a one-revolution clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on said conveyer mechanism drive shaft, means to operate the driving member of said clutch from the transmission shaft, releasable detent means for holding the driving member of said clutch 7 disengaged from the driven member thereof, means to trip said detent means whereby to release said clutch members for engagement, a rotatable trip cam for actuating said trip means, a ratchet wheel for rotating said trip cam, a pivoted rocker arm carrying a pawl for driving said ratchet wheel, a crank wheel operated by the transmission shaft and connected by a link with said rocker arm, means to adjust the connection of said link with said rocker arm whereby to vary the amplitude of rocker arm oscillation and thus to time the rotation of said trip am to thereby control periodic operation of the conveyer mechanism, additional one-revolution clutches for respectively actuating the respective cutting mechanisms, said additional clutches having driving members and means to drive the same from the power actuated drive shaft for the cutting mechanisms, trip mechanisms to respectively control said respective additional clutches, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer mechanism and operative intermediate said trip mechanisms whereby to successively actuate the same and thereby coordinate the operation of said cutting mechanisms one with the other and with the movement of the conveyer mechanism.

9. In a long alimentary paste production appatus including a rack rod conveyer mechanism for cooperation with a die from which paste strings are extruded in two parallel linear rows and further including a pair of cutting mechanisms respectively operative from opposite sides of the die to respectively cut away from the latter the respective rows of extruded paste strings, a power operated drive shaft for the cutting mechanisms, a drive shaft for the conveyer mechanism, a transmission shaft intermediate said drive shafts, means to drive said transmission shaft from the cutting mechanisms drive shaft, a driven shaft,

to actuate the conveyer mechanism, means for driving the driven shaft of the said conveyer mechanism from the conveyer mechanism drive shaft including a one-revolution clutch comprising a driving member and a driven member fixed on said conveyer mechanism drive shaft, means to operate the driving member of said clutch from the transmission shaft, releasable detent means for holding the driving member of said clutch disengaged from the driven member thereof, means to trip said detent means whereby to release said clutch members for engagement, a rotatable trip cam for actuating said trip means, a ratchet wheel for rotating said trip cam, a pivoted rocker arm carrying a pawl for driving said ratchet wheel, a crank wheel ope-rated by the transmission shaft and connected by a link with said rocker arm, means to adjust the connection of said link with said rocker arm whereby to vary the amplitude of rocker arm oscillation and thus to time the rotation of said trip cam to thereby control periodic operation of the conveyer mechanism, respective driven shafts for actuating the respective cutting mechanisms, additional one-revolution clutches to respectively control operation of the respective cutting mechanisms, said additional clutches each comprising a driving member and a driven member, the driven members of said additional clutches being respectively fixed on driven shafts of the respective cutting mechanisms, means to operate the driving members of said additional clutches from the cutting mechanisms drive shaft, additional releasable detent means respectively operative to hold the driving members of respective additional clutches disengaged from the driven members of the latter, additional trip mechanisms respectively cooperative with respective last mentioned detent means whereby to release the members of the respective additional clutches for engagement, and a trip cam member rotated by the driven shaft of the conveyer mechanism and operative intermediate said trip mechanisms whereby to successively actuate the same and thereby coordinate the operation of said cutting mechanisms one with the other and With the movement of the conveyer mechanism.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 323,681 Holmes Aug. 4, 1885 1,014,874 Herisse Jan, 16, 1912 2,120,790 Rose June 14, 1938 2,223,352 De Francisci Dec. 3, 1940 2,349,423 Harber May 23, 1944 2,481,274 Ambrette Sept. 6, 1949 

